Progress is reviewed on the following reactors: EBWR; Borax-V; ZPR-III- ZPR-VI; ZPR-IX; EBR-I; and EBR-II. An outline of fast and slow reactor safety studies in TREAT is presented. Progress is also reported in applied nuclear and reactor physics; development of reactor fuels, materials, and components; heat engineering technology; separation processes; and advanced reactor concepts. (T.F.H.)

The mechanisms and kinetics of the loss of boron during heating at 1135 deg C under various dynamic environments were determined from powder compacts of 5 wt% elemental boron dispersed in matrices of Fe, Cr, Ni, Si, Fe/sub 2/O/sub 3/, Cr/sub 2/O/sub 3/, NiO, and SiO/sub 2/, compacts of austenitic stainless steel alloy powder containing 0.25 wt% boron, and wrought specimens of 0.13 wt% boron-- stainless steel alloy. The compacts containing 5 wt% boron were heat treated in vacuum, highpurity argon, wet helium, and hydrogen. With the exception of those heat treated in hydrogen, significant boron losses occurred only when a supply of oxygen, either from the sample itself or as a deliberate addition to the heat- treating environment, was available. Correspondingly, the loss mechanism is postulated to be the oxidation of boron to boron sesquioxide and its volatilization from the sample. The loss rate is controlled by the volatilization rate of the oxide which is directly influenced by structure of the compact and sintering environment. Independent of the chemical nature of the matrix, boron losses were incurred during heat treatment in hydrogen. Variations of the water content of the hydrogen from 7 to 460 ppm did not significantly influence …

A study was conducted to assess the feasibility of transporting the first spent core of the Elk River Power Reactor to Policoro, ltaly. Commercial transport arrangements were also examined and it was found that changes in indemnity and/or insurance are required. Other aspects appear favorable. (J.R.D.)

Report issued by the APDA over a design study "of a facility for testing sodium-cooled thermal reactor fuel assemblies in the Advanced Test Reactor" (p. 5). The results are presented and discussed. This report includes tables, and illustrations.

This is the monthly report for the Hanford Laboratories Operation August 1961. Reactor fuels, chemistry, dosimetry, separation processes, reactor technology, financial activities, biology operation, physics and instrumentation research, operations research and synthesis, programming, and radiation protection operation are discussed.

Equipment Development is testing a system of operational fueling at 105-KE. This cursory review is made for assurance that the program continues to merit risk of small production loss and development priority. Production Test IP-429-K, which is now circulating for approvals and which provides for up to 150 tubes fitted for operational fueling, is an indication of the immediacy with which, presuming due diligence and barring unforeseen circumstances, the system can be available for production.

Abstract: The design and application of two computers for the HNPF protective system is discussed.

This report details activities of the Irradiation Processing Department during the month of August 1961.

From Preface: "A brief description of the method used in compiling these tables and the limitation of coverage is given in the preface to Supplement 1. A description of the numbering system used is classifying reactions for the tables is given in Supplement 2. The present supplement contains information pertaining to Substitution, Exchange and Elimination reaction types. It is not complete as still more material falling groups is being prepared."